Beat around the bush

28 Goodgymers helped their local community in York
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York

Monday 6th August 2018

Report written by York runner

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28 GG Yorkies gathered to tackle one enormous bush.

Big shout out to all the Yorkies who ran the very hot York 10k yesterday, great to see so many PBs being achieved despite the temperature. New runner Lindsay ran yesterday and rocked up without knowing what to expect and a special shout out goes to Debs who has been on a fitness journey with us at GoodGym, she ran a big PB and boshed through the 8km tonight like a champ, go and give her a cheer.

The Centurion Cape!

Here's someone else who needs a big cheer, run leader and all round good'un Nick ran his 100th good deed tonight and managed to coincide it with his actual birthday too, what a legend. Not only that but he made the most delicious carrot cake which he didn't even get to eat because he's so selfless he gave it to everyone else!

Anyway, back to the task in hand. The task was to take a massive, massive bush down to ground, in 30 minutes.

Straight away there were some fascinating techniques happening. With only so many tools, you do have to be creative if you get a spade to cut down a hedge. Emily ended up with a tiny hand hook and made a strong effort with hearty slashing, whilst Max got a rake and was surprisingly effective at raking the bush down - so effective that everyone gave him a really wide berth.

Beware of spiky surprises - Katie F did an excellent job of reiterating the safety advice

There were indeed a lot of brambles, but that meant there were also a lot of blackberries! Mark C was looting them and filling up a shovel for everyone to feast on, and every time a big branch got cut off, a few people descended on it to strip it of all the sweet, blackberry goodness.

Not bend and snap, it's the snap and peel

Debs and Katie had come up with their own special technique and were also trying to educate Ed on Legally Blonde, but soon gave up and went back to hacking.

With five minutes on the clock, the transformation was immense. We'd revealed a beautiful holly tree which the task owners decided to keep, nobody even knew it was there. Finally it was just a case of clearing as much as possible and tidying the pathways, a difficult job with only one teeny tiny broom but Ellie G was going for it.

With our task complete, we ran back via the awesome Derwenthorpe Mini Trim Trail for a bit of fitness fun.

Baggsy climbing frame!!! - Massive kid, Ed

There were step ups and clambering, push ups, tricep dips and some epic core exercises going on. Paul Kelly, Leanne and Carl got themselves into some very bizarre scenario with Carl holding PK's feet and Leanne doing sit-ups with Carl's bum as the target - very hard to describe but check out the pics!

My two favourite things, playgrounds and vandalism!

Pretty sure it isn't vandalism if someone asks you to do it, but it made Mitch happy. All that was left was a run back along the Foss Islands cycleway and of course, birthday squats for Nick. And cake, lots of lovely cake.


Session Leader
This task supported
Housing and Care 21
A charitable organisation running a sheltered housing scheme for residents over 60

We provide affordable housing for residents over 60 who need support but still wish to remain independent.

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Attendees
Emily
Paul Anderson
Robert Ward
Nick Griffin
Carl Wain
Lizzie Kershaw
Ellie Griffin
Leanne
Angela Graham
Aidan Kettle
Ed Woollard
Tim Mckenzie
Laurence Griffin
Jenna Drury
Lisa Flesher
Paul Kelly
Katie McCarthy
Mitch
Ali Donaldson
Mark Luz Cosens
Debs Sharpe
Marc Thomas
Emily Collins
Join us on our next session

York

Helping at Tang Hall School allotment
🗓Monday 6th May 6:15pm

Make the area usable for the children

+4
Laura BarrettNeil BushellAbigail DartonMartin CalvertLyndsey Hay
9 GoodGymers are going

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